Dear Parishioners,

Many have asked me if IHM School is opening its doors this August. The answer is YES as Opening Day is set for Wednesday, August 19, 2020! What IHM School is presenting to all students and their parents/guardians are “options” for this school year.

The first “option” is letting the students have an all-day; all week (5 days) IN SCHOOL learning experience in classrooms that have been arranged to provide social distancing for each student with an excellent teaching environment. Every desk is provided with a washable tri-fold shield protecting others around each student desk. All teachers have a Plexiglas shield around their desks as well. All students are required to wear masks, although some doctor-documented exceptions will need to be made.

The second “option” is termed simultaneous learning which is defined as students at home, wearing their school uniform, seated at a desk/table and connecting with their IHM homeroom classroom via the internet the complete school day! All of the IHM classrooms are equipped with TV monitors that will become “live” with the at home student so that the student is seen in the classroom and can “raise their hands” and be called upon, or ask questions to participate in the learning experience.

Some of our IHM specials teachers who have “compromised health” or simply do not want to BE IN THE BUILDING for teaching will teach remotely. Again, this is another kind of “option” that IHM School will provide its teachers.

We also have installed in the school building, the gym, and the All Purpose Room (cafeteria) a new system called Global Plasma Solutions Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization. These are air purification units which are truly exceptional technology, laboratory tested, killing 99.4% of bacteria and Coronavirus. Air purification units like these are found in hospitals, restaurants, government buildings and many other kinds of work places to keep people safe from viruses and bacteria in the environment.

We want to do what we can to keep our teachers, staff, and children free from the virus. So, we have created “layers” of protection for all with:

• the new air purification units,
• the air mitigation system (installed in 2015),
• the masks to be worn,
• the desk shields positioned
• directional signage
• Purell centers at all doorways
• swift sanitization multiple times during the day
• the use of a handheld fogger/mister Germbuster

While nothing is ever perfect our Principal and staff will be attentive and alert to these layers of protection and the changes and improvements that come about from our Governor, the Summit County Health Board, the CDC, the Summit County Board of Education, and our diocesan Office of Education.

Many blessings,
Father Jim